HPV and Head and Neck Cancer: Understanding the Risks
Many people are aware of the link between human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer, but did you know HPV can also cause some types of head and neck cancer? Understanding the link between HPV and head and neck cancers can help you make decisions about your health.
What is HPV and how does it cause cancer?
There are more than 200 known types of HPV. They spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact. When a person becomes infected with HPV, the virus lives in certain types of cells on the skin and mucous membranes. Mucous membranes are moist surfaces found in the mouth, throat, and genitals. Some types of HPV are classified as low risk and some are high risk. The main difference is that low-risk HPV types very rarely cause cancer, while some of the high-risk types are more likely to cause cancer.
HPV rarely causes symptoms. Most of the time, people do not know they have HPV. According to the American Cancer Society, 43 million people in the United States have HPV, and 13 million people become infected every year.
“HPV is a very prevalent viral infection, but most cases get better on their own. There are high-risk HPV subtypes that are linked with an increased cancer risk. For example, HPV 16 puts you at a slightly higher risk of head and neck cancer, which can develop years or decades after exposure to the virus,” said Dr. Cristina P. Rodriguez, MD, an oncologist specializing in head and neck cancer at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and an American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) expert.
When an HPV infection does not resolve on its own, it remains in the infected cells and causes changes over time. Sometimes these changes lead to cancer. Head and neck cancer forms in the same cells that can be infected by HPV in the mouth, throat, nose, and sinuses. Of these areas, HPV most often causes throat cancer, also called oropharyngeal cancer. The “oropharynx” is the middle of the throat behind the mouth.
How common is HPV-related head and neck cancer?
HPV-related head and neck cancers are the most common type of HPV-related cancers in the United States. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 59,660 new cases of mouth and throat cancers in 2025. Around 70% of throat cancers are caused by HPV. Most people diagnosed with HPV-related head and neck cancer are male.
How you can reduce your risk of HPV-related cancers
Besides cancers of the cervix and throat, HPV can also cause cancers of the anus, vagina, vulva, and penis. There are four main ways to protect yourself and your family from HPV-related cancers.
Get the HPV vaccine. The most effective way to reduce the risk of developing an HPV-related cancer is to get the HPV vaccine. The vaccine works best in 2 doses when given to children between the ages of 9 and 12. The body produces the strongest immune response to the vaccine during this time in a child’s life. Getting the vaccine at that time helps ensure a strong immune response before exposure to HPV typically happens. If the first dose is given after age 12, then 3 doses of the vaccine are recommended.
The vaccine is recommended for adults up to age 26. Even if you have already had HPV, it’s still a good idea to get the vaccine because it can protect you against different types.
Take precautions during intimacy. People with fewer lifetime sexual partners are at a lower risk for HPV-related cancers. Limiting sexual partners and avoiding sexual activity with people who have had many other sexual partners can help lower your risk. Condoms offer some protection from HPV, but they cannot prevent it completely.
Remember that HPV itself is a viral infection and is contagious. However, if HPV causes cancer, the HPV-related cancer cannot be spread to other people. Studies show that sexual partners of people with HPV-related cancers are not at higher risk of developing HPV-related cancer than the general population.
Get regular dental and health checkups. Regular dental checkups with an exam of the entire mouth (oral cavity) can help find these cancers early. There are no regular, recommended oral or dental screening tests that look for HPV or HPV-related cancers.
For people who have a cervix, regular HPV screening is recommended as part of routine cervical cancer screening between ages 25 and 65. Some experts recommend anal HPV screening for people who are at higher risk for anal cancer.
Reduce your other risk factors. Tobacco and alcohol use are some of the strongest lifestyle risk factors for head and neck cancer. In a recent study, tobacco use increased the risk of developing HPV-related head and neck cancer by 173%. Alcohol use increased the risk by 166%.
Know the signs and symptoms of HPV-related head and neck cancer
Knowing the signs and symptoms of HPV-related head and neck cancer can help catch these cancers earlier, when they are often easier to treat.
Signs and symptoms of throat cancer include:
- A sore throat that doesn’t get better
- Pain while swallowing
- Difficulty swallowing
- A sore in the mouth that doesn’t heal
- A lump on the neck or in the back of the throat
- White patches on the tongue, throat, or tonsils
- Problems moving the tongue, chewing, or opening your mouth all the way
- Voice changes
- Ear pain that doesn’t go away
- Unexpected weight loss
Remember that these signs and symptoms could be related to something other than cancer. However, you have any of them, especially if they last longer than 2 weeks, see your doctor or dentist.
Learn more about head and neck cancers and HPV vaccines from the American Cancer Society:
Dr. Rodriguez is a member of ASCO’s Patient Information Editorial Board.
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Developed by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
